The Plays of Henrik Ibsen

<p>A Broadway World Must Have, “<em>Comprehensive and entertaining… a total treat of a book</em>.”</p><p>Breaking the Fourth Wall, “<em>Perfect for anyone, regardless of how much or how little one knows of Ibsen… Fascinating</em>.” ★★★★★</p><p>LouReviews, “<em>Accessible and entertaining… a great companion to the work</em>.”</p><p>A comprehensive analysis of all Ibsen's plays from his first play <em>Catiline</em> to his last play <em>When We Dead Awaken</em>. Included are chapters on every play, not just the better-known ones such as <em>A Doll's House</em>, <em>Hedda Gabler</em> and <em>Ghosts,</em> but also the little-known plays <em>like Emperor and Galilean</em> (which was Ibsen's favourite) and <em>Little Eyolf</em> (the author's favourite play.)</p><p>Ibsen in his plays is exploring the difficulties for each of us of finding our own authentic voice both politically and (especially) within marriage - although he disclaimed the label of a feminist, believing himself to be on the side of everyone who seeks self-understanding and honesty in relationships, he was hailed in the nineteenth century as an advocate for women's rights and freedom. In addition to this we today see him as having a pre-Freudian profound understanding of people and relationships. From the romantic plays like <em>Peer Gynt</em> through the political plays such as <em>An Enemy of the People</em> and the exploration of relationships in plays like <em>Rosmersholm</em>, Ibsen - who is fundamentally a tragedian - writes with a wonderful sense of humour.</p><p>This book, written in a clear non-academic prose, not only takes us through the plays in a scholarly fashion but also links the plays to Ibsen's life. It includes a timeline of his life and a bibliography. A must for those who want to know more about - after Shakespeare - the world's greatest playwright.</p>